2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to reinvigorate the dwindling hatchback market at a time when crossover SUVs were dominating consumer preferences. Honda saw an opportunity to capture a significant share of this niche, especially as several other automakers, such as Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, and Nissan, had abandoned the segment in the U.S. Even the long-standing Volkswagen Golf was no longer available in America for 2022. The Civic Hatchback was manufactured in Indiana, making it one of the few compact cars still produced in the U.S. It featured the same design upfront as the Civic sedan, minus the coupe, which had been discontinued, but had distinct rear stylings with a unique grille pattern and wheel designs. Two test cars in Sport Touring trim were driven: one in Rallye Red with a CVT and another in Sonic Gray Pearl with a six-speed manual transmission. The Civic's exterior design aimed to balance the visual weight over the front wheels but still exhibited a somewhat stubby rear profile. Inside, the Civic Hatchback mirrored the Civic sedan, with a modern appearance accentuated by sophisticated digital displays and high-quality materials. However, the CVT shifter lacked a refined operation, slightly detracting from the overall coherence.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a Nightshade Edition in SE trim, featured a striking new Reservoir Blue paint and matte-bronze 19-inch wheels. The exterior updates included black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, and several other blacked-out elements. The Camry felt familiar yet refreshed with optional colors like Ice Cap or Midnight Black. Inside, the SE-spec remained the same as it had been for over five years, offering a blend of comfort and functionality. However, when the trunk was closed or doors were shut, the Camry exhibited a less substantial, almost tinny feel. The interior consisted of durable but somewhat cheap-looking plastic materials. Priced just over $29,000 with destination, our test vehicle featured optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, bringing the MSRP to $32,983.

Most buyers of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback were expected to opt for the LX or Sport trims, both equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. While adequate, this engine didn’t provide much excitement. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims boasted a livelier 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque accessible between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. All Civic Hatchbacks were front-wheel drive, and only the CVT-equipped models offered new low-speed driving aids. The CVT paired well with the turbocharged engine, providing a relatively smooth and quiet ride. Enthusiasts, however, found joy in the six-speed manual transmission, noted for its short throws and excellent clutch modulation. While the Civic Hatchback excelled in daily driving with good suspension tuning and responsive steering, it showed limitations during spirited driving on winding roads, particularly with brake fade and less grip from the all-season tires.

For the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota provided three powertrain choices. Most popular was the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering between 202 and 206 horsepower depending on the configuration. More power came from a 301-hp 3.5-liter V6, available only in some trims and with FWD. Our test vehicle featured the hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, producing a net output of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system functioned through a CVT, providing smooth acceleration and decent isolation from cabin noise. Although Toyota claimed a fuel economy of 46 mpg in combined driving, our real-world testing yielded only 33.4 mpg, falling short of expectations. Despite disappointing fuel efficiency, the hybrid system added torque for quick off-the-line acceleration, and the regenerative braking system performed better than anticipated. The ride was somewhat soft but managed corners well, although the stability control proved overly sensitive during quick direction changes.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality. Its trunk offered a generous 24.5 cubic feet of space, enhanced by a practical two-piece cargo shade. The rear seats were split 60/40 folding, providing even more cargo versatility, although Honda did not officially specify the maximum cargo volume. The interior seating was generally comfortable, with notable features like an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats in the higher trims. However, it lacked a height adjuster for the front passenger seat and did not offer rear air conditioning vents, which could be a drawback in warmer climates.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid’s interior focused on simplicity and durability, featuring straightforward controls and a user-friendly layout. Most versions came with dual-zone automatic climate control, and higher trims offered additional comforts like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The test vehicle had an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and manual adjustments for the passenger, who could use a height adjuster to get more comfortable. While the Camry’s rear seats were adequate, they lacked the spaciousness of rivals like the Honda Accord. Furthermore, the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a point of complaint among rear-seat passengers. The Camry’s trunk space measured 15.1 cubic feet, which was below average for the midsize sedan class.

In terms of technology, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback impressed with its new infotainment system. LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, navigation, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system. The physical knobs for volume and tuning were a welcome improvement, and all trims included handy digital instrumentation, with the Sport Touring offering a comprehensive 10.2-inch display.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered two infotainment options: a 7-inch or a 9-inch touchscreen. Both systems supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The larger system came with connected navigation and an optional 9-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Camry also offered several connected services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. However, these features were not present in the basic 7-inch infotainment system in the test car. Despite functional physical knobs, their design could be improved for easier use. Additional tech options included a 7-inch driver information center and a 10-inch head-up display, neither of which were present in the test vehicle.

Honda equipped the 2022 Civic Hatchback with the refined Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. New features like low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist were exclusive to CVT models. Higher trims also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic Hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and robust crash protection.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features were automatic high-beam headlights and Intersection Support. However, the TSS 2.5 system did not operate as smoothly as expected, with noticeable issues in adaptive cruise control and lane-assist functionalities. Like the Civic, the Camry Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, although its side-impact crash test performance was lacking.